

Why Food is Medicine
Hippocrates penned the well-known quote: “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” His advice from over 2000 years ago still holds true (or perhaps truer) today than ever. “Many experimental studies have shown that components of foods or beverages may have anti-inflammatory effects.” said professor Dr. Frank Hu of Harvard School of Public Health. The great thing about anti-inflammatory foods is that you can reap their benefits by simply eating them instead of other inflammatory foods. For example, switch out vegetable oil and margarine for oleic acid-rich olive oil, grapeseed oil, or avocado oil. Replace red meat, often high in salt and cholesterol, with oily fish for a shot of Omega-3 fatty acids. Coffee can be quite acidic and inflammatory. Instead, have a cup of antioxidant-rich green tea and snack on nuts, seeds, and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Herbs and spices offer huge doses of antioxidants and plant phenols that reduce oxidative stress; including garlic, ginger, and turmeric are both versatile and delicious. When craving refined carbs or sugar hits, indulge in some fruit or dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa solids.
Take it easy: How Stress Increases Inflammation
Cortisol is the hormone that takes our thoughts and feelings about the world and translates them into real, physiological stress on the cells. Regularly flooding the body with cortisol and adrenaline can have a cascading effect on various hormones in your body and pump-up inflammation. Stress is one of your immune system’s greatest enemies. It’s important to sleep at least 7 or 8 hours a day to allow your tissues time to repair. Meditation or another relaxing hobby are great ways to give yourself the rest you need. Ever notice how you catch a cold right after prolonged stress? Depression, anxiety, chronic worry, unresolved psychological issues, and insomnia can all aggravate the body’s immune response and leave it susceptible to infection. Signs that your body may be overwhelmed with stress include:
- Frequent rash breakouts
- Ulcers or irritable bowel symptoms
- Sleep disturbances
- Neck or back pain, spasms, general aches
- Dizziness, faintness, or brain fog
- Changes in appetite or libido
- Trembling, shaking or a feeling of being on edge